FANS of hit TV series Outlander helped create a record year for overseas tourism in Scotland last year, it was announced yesterday.

Fans of Outlander helped create a record year for overseas tourism in Scotland last year (Image: NC)

The ONS Travel Trends 2017 statistics show the number of overseas tourists rose by 17 per cent to 3.2 million last year, while spending increased by some 23 per cent to £2.3billion.

Experts said the boost included “the Outlander effect” that has seen fans flock from all over the world to see castles and other sites associated with the time travel fantasy starring Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe.

The figures were driven by European visitors who made 1.9 million visits, up 17 per cent from 2016, with spending rising by 36 per cent to £1.1 billion.

Across the UK as a whole the number of European visitors increased by just one per cent and spending fell by one per cent.